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Metastasis

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Overview

Metastasis

Definition:

Metastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another. Cancer cells usually spread via the bloodstream or the lymph system.

Alternative Names:
Metastatic cancer; Cancer metastases

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Information:

Whether or not cancer cells metastasize to other parts of the body depends on many factors, including:

• The type of cancer
• The stage of the cancer
• Original location of the cancer

Treatment depends on the type of cancer and where it has metastasized.

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